Each lesson or activity in this toolkit is related to NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The toolkit is designed so that each lesson can be done independently, or combined and taught in a sequence. The Teacher Implementation Guide provides...(View More) recommendations for combining the lessons into three main strands: 1) Lunar Exploration. These lessons provide a basic introduction to Moon exploration. Note that this strand is also appropriate for use in social studies classes. 2) Mapping the Moon. These lessons provide a more in-depth understanding of Moon exploration through the use of scientific data and student inquiry. The lessons also include many connections to Earth science and geology. 3) Tools of Investigation. These higher-level lessons examine the role of technology, engineering and physics in collecting and analyzing data.(View Less)

This is a math-science integrated unit about spectrographs. Learners will find and calculate the angle that light is transmitted through a holographic diffraction grating using trigonometry. After finding this angle, the students will build their...(View More) own spectrographs in groups and research and design a ground or space-based mission using their creation. After the project is complete, student groups will present to the class on their trials, tribulations, and findings during this process. The activity is part of Project Spectra, a science and engineering program for middle-high school students, focusing on how light is used to explore the Solar System.(View Less)

This is an activity about gravity. Learners will fill out a questionnaire to assess their ideas about how the Earth is shaped and how things fall here and at different places around the planet. Then, in small groups, learners will discuss how...(View More) gravity works as a force and confront previous misconceptions related to gravity and the Earth. This is Actividad 3.1 as part of El Universo a Sus Pies, a Spanish-language curriculum, available for purchase.(View Less)

This is an activity about gravity. Learners will fill out a questionnaire to assess their ideas about how the Earth is shaped and how things fall at different places around the planet. Then, in small groups, learners will discuss how gravity works...(View More) as a force and confront previous misconceptions related to gravity and the Earth. This is Activity C-1 of Universe at Your Fingertips 2.0: A Collection of Activities and Resources for Teaching Astronomy DVD-ROM, which is available for purchase.(View Less)

This is an activity about shape. Learners will investigate that the Earth is a sphere by comparing the length of shadows from nails arranged on a flat map compared to nails arranged around a spherical globe. From the observations collected, they...(View More) will infer that different shadow lengths at different locations would clearly indicate that our planet is not flat. This is Actividad 3.2 as part of El Universo a Sus Pies, a Spanish-language curriculum, available for purchase.(View Less)

This is an activity about shape. Learners will investigate that the Earth is a sphere by comparing the length of shadows from nails arranged on a flat map compared to nails arranged around a spherical globe. From the observations collected, they...(View More) will infer that different shadow lengths at different locations would clearly indicate that our planet is not flat. This is Activity C-2 of Universe at Your Fingertips 2.0: A Collection of Activities and Resources for Teaching Astronomy DVD-ROM, which is available for purchase.(View Less)